Leyte's Highest: Alto Peak / Mount Amindiuen

On June 20-21 2015, I was invited by a friend in Palompon to join the Unity Climb organized by Ormoc Mountaineering groups. the groups Katkat, Nuloc and Terra. There are two itineraries so one group can visit Mt. Janagdan Lake while the others scale Alto Peak or Mount Amindiuen. This would be my first time scaling this peak even though I am from Leyte.

A view from the top of Mount Amindiuen / Alto Peak of Leyte, Philippines

ALTO PEAK
Ormoc City, Leyte
Major jump-off: Lake Danao National Park, Ormoc
LLA: 11.1061 N, 124.7097 E, 1332 MASL (unverified)
Days required / Hours to summit: 3-4 days / 11-14 hours*
Specs: Exploration, Major Climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 3 with unestablished trails
- from pinoy mountaineer

We all meet at the Trail Sign Outdoor shop in Ormoc. Signed waivers, got the shirt and we are all set.

We arrived at Baranggay Cabintan, left the bigger bags and all we took were water/hydration packs and lunch as the trail was quite technical. Group 1 was already set and they went to Janagdan Lake while we took the truck toward the jump off of Alto Peak or Amindiuen Peak.

The trekking part was enjoyable since the sun was out and it was cloudy. sometimes the clouds seem to disappear and the views of Jaro, Leyte can be seen with Biliran Island at the background. Most of the trail was on Jaro Side (west side) of the mountain.

During the mid portion or the trail, there was around 80 degrees of cliff so we used a rope to climb up. Then the next part would be roots and more root climbing until we reached the grassy part of the mountain which was the peak. The guide and I were the first to arrive. It took me 2.5 hours to get there. Quite slow pace but not bad. The peak was just around maybe 15 meters in diameter and cliffs on the sides. There were small trees on the center so we can hide from the cold wind.

We ate our lunch while waiting for the others to arrive. A quick rest, few pictures taken and down we go to the jump off to meet the others at Baranggay Cabintan.

We had our socials at Lake Danao, pitched our tents and enjoy the heavy rainy night.

Got a video clip on the Alto Peak climb:

Last water source & jumpoff

View of Leyte's western side.

Another view of Leyte's Western side

Ropes are needed but not compulsory

Road to Alto Peak

Peaks

Lake Danao view

Our route from jumpoff to the summit

Going up to the summit from a GPS Tracker App

Some pictures can be viewed through Goeffrey's FB and Raoul Bacalla's Facebook.